CHAMPION HURDLE WINNER Rock On Ruby has been withdrawn from the Fighting Fifth Hurdle rather than risk his seasonal reappearance in testing conditions at Newcastle.
Just four horses remain standing for Saturday’s high-profile Grade 1 with Nicky Henderson’s Darlan the other high-profile absentee at this morning’s final declaration stage.
Rock on Ruby will now head to the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on 15 December, trainer Harry Fry confirmed to Press Association.
“To run him first time on this type of going is not ideal,” Fry said.
“We are looking at the bigger picture because the aim for Rock On Ruby all season is to try to win the Champion Hurdle again in March, and we think he has a decent chance of doing that.”
The withdrawals leave 2012 Supreme Novice Cinders and Ashes to head up the ante-post betting at 8/11.
Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame (7/2), Charles Byrnes’ Trifolium (4/1) and the Brian Ellison-trained Bothy (10/1) make up the remainder of the field.
